Pemba Island Travel Guide: Diving, Beaches & Getting There

Pemba Island lies 80 km north of Zanzibar and 50 km from the Tanzanian mainland coast, separated from both by deep-water channels that run to over 900 metres. Those channels funnel cold, nutrient-rich water up onto the island’s reefs — the reason Pemba has a reputation among divers as one of the finest sites in the entire western Indian Ocean.

While Zanzibar draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, Pemba receives a fraction of that. There are no all-inclusive resorts, no beach clubs, and the roads are rough. That is largely the point. If you are looking for an undeveloped, genuinely remote island with exceptional diving and little else, Pemba is the destination.

The Island

Pemba covers approximately 980 km² — slightly larger than Zanzibar but with a population of around 460,000, most of them Swahili-speaking Muslims who work in clove cultivation and fishing. The main town is Chake Chake (population approximately 20,000), where you’ll find the island’s only ATM, a few basic guesthouses, a market, and the immigration office for registration.

Wete, in the north, has a small port and a handful of local restaurants. Mkoani in the south is the ferry landing point from the mainland.

The island is green year-round — substantially more forested than Zanzibar — and produces around 75% of Tanzania’s clove output. Many of the remaining coral forests host Pemba flying foxes (large fruit bats) endemic to the island.

Diving

Pemba’s diving is concentrated on the western and southern sides of the island, sheltered from the open Indian Ocean swell. The main dive sites:

Misali Island: A protected marine reserve 10 km west of Chake Chake. The surrounding reef drops from 5 metres to beyond 30 metres and is considered one of East Africa’s best dives. Healthy hard and soft corals, humphead parrotfish, barracuda, and occasional whale sharks. Entry to Misali Island Conservation Area costs approximately USD 10 per person (paid to your operator, as of 2026).

Manta Point: A seamount off the southern tip frequented by manta rays and reef sharks. Suitable for experienced divers only — strong currents and depths reaching 35+ metres. Best dived June–October.

Fundu Gap: A channel site with dense soft coral walls, prolific reef fish, and strong current drift dives. Requires advanced certification.

Njao Gap: Another channel-cut site between Pemba and the smaller offshore islands to the west — known for grouper aggregations during October–November spawn.

Diving operators: Fundu Lagoon (the island’s premium eco-lodge) runs the most established dive operation. Two-tank dives cost approximately USD 130–150 including equipment. PADI Open Water courses run approximately USD 500. Day-trip diving for non-guests is possible if arranged in advance.

Swahili Divers, based at Pemba Crown Hotel in Chake Chake, offers more budget-oriented diving from approximately USD 80 for a two-tank dive.

Snorkelling

Misali Island has shallow reef areas accessible by snorkel, with visibility frequently exceeding 25 metres. The island itself is uninhabited; boat trips from Chake Chake cost approximately USD 40–60 per person including the conservation fee and guide.

The Pemba Channel on the western side has snorkellable patches directly accessible from the beach at low-to-mid tide, particularly around Wete.

Beaches

Pemba’s beaches are narrower and less spectacular than Zanzibar’s — it is a diving destination, not a beach destination. Verani Beach near Wete is the most visited stretch of sand, calm and sheltered. Panza Bay in the south has some beach access.

Where to Stay

Fundu Lagoon: The only genuinely luxury option on Pemba. Overwater bandas and tented beach lodges on a remote inlet south of Wete. Rates from approximately USD 700 per person per night full board (as of 2026). Access is by boat transfer only.

Pemba Crown Hotel (Chake Chake): The main mid-range option — basic rooms, a restaurant, and reliable diving through Swahili Divers attached to the property. Doubles from approximately USD 80.

Manta Resort (check current status before booking): A small eco-lodge that operated off Pemba’s west coast; verify it is open before planning around it, as small properties on Pemba open and close more frequently than on Zanzibar.

Wete Lodge: Simple guesthouse in Wete town, basic rooms from approximately USD 40 per night. Used mainly by divers on tight budgets.

Getting There

By air: Coastal Aviation and Auric Air fly Dar es Salaam – Chake Chake. The journey takes approximately 50 minutes. Schedules vary by season — Coastal typically runs 2–3 flights per week. One-way fares are approximately USD 150–200. Book several weeks in advance in high season.

Zanzibar–Pemba routes exist but are less frequent. Confirm current schedules directly with the airlines.

By ferry: Azam Marine and Coastal Fast Ferries operate occasional services from Tanga (mainland) and Zanzibar to Mkoani. Journey times: Zanzibar–Mkoani approximately 5 hours, Tanga–Mkoani approximately 3 hours. Schedules are irregular — confirm departure days at least a week before. Fares from approximately USD 25–35 economy.

Practical Notes

• Pemba has one functioning ATM in Chake Chake, and it is not always stocked. Bring enough USD cash for your stay.
• Mobile data coverage is limited outside Chake Chake and Wete. Vodacom M-Pesa works in most market areas.
• Dress modestly in Chake Chake and villages — Pemba is a more conservative Muslim community than Zanzibar.
• Immigration: register your presence at the Chake Chake immigration office within 24 hours of arrival if arriving from mainland Tanzania (not required if arriving directly from Zanzibar via internal flight on a Tanzanian visa).
• Malaria prophylaxis is recommended. Consult your GP or travel health clinic before departure.
• Pemba has no tourist-grade medical facility. Fundu Lagoon has a clinic for guests; for anything serious, evacuation to Zanzibar or Dar es Salaam is necessary.

Given the limited medical facilities on Pemba, travel insurance for Tanzania with medical evacuation cover is essential. For diving and island excursion bookings around Zanzibar and Pemba, Zanzibar tours covers day trips and snorkelling that can bookend a Pemba trip. An eSIM for Tanzania provides data connectivity on arrival in Dar es Salaam and during transit, useful before reaching Pemba’s limited coverage areas.